New members join WiMAX patent alliance

Beceem Communications, GCT Semiconductor, Sequans Communications and UQ Communications have joined the Open Patent Alliance (OPA).

Formed in June 2008, the OPA is dedicated to offering intellectual property rights (IPR) solutions that support the development and widespread adoption of WiMAX around the globe, further boosting the open industry standard approach to 4G wireless broadband.

"It's been an exciting month for the Open Patent Alliance and WiMAX 4G momentum, in general," said OPA President Yung Hahn. "The OPA ecosystem remains focused on broader choice and competitive equipment and service costs for WiMAX technology, devices and applications globally. With a critical mass of silicon providers now as members, the OPA can continue facilitating the formation of a singular, cohesive WiMAX patent pool to assist participating companies in obtaining access to patent licences from patent owners at a more predictable cost."

The most recent additions to the OPA span silicon providers to wireless carriers around the world, continuing to strengthen the open ecosystem and provide a fair, transparent and balanced IPR licencing structure.

What is WiMAX?
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, widely referred to as WiMAX, is a standard-based wireless technology that allows broadband connections over long distances.

What is wireless communication?
Wireless communication is the transfer of information over a distance without the use of electrical conductors or "wires." The distances involved may be short (a few metres as in television remote control using infrared light) or long (thousands or millions of kilometres for radio communications).

What is 4G?
4th generation technology that will provide voice, data and streamed multimedia to users on an “anytime, anywhere” basis, and at higher data rates than current generations allow. Objectives for 4G include wired and wireless technologies capable of providing 100Mbps and 1Gbps speeds both indoors and outdoors. 4G will succeed current 3G WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA technology.